Are my expectations too high?

Solo wrote:

Mile High wrote:
msmith, that would be a good habit I need to try out. Thinking back, I think the reason I was opening the slides first was because I leveled and ran the slides with the engine running, but I should be fine opening the slides without the engine. Thanks!

Mile High, check your owner's manual, Section 10-3 Slide operation. Direct quote from the manual on your Meridian "KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING WHILE EXTENDING OR RETRACTING SLIDEOUT ROOMS"

Same for my Ellipse according to the manual. I follow Winnebago's/Itasca's procedure and have the engine running since our company uses the chassis battery to operate the slides.

Some owners with the Power Gear slide system like our coach and yours, have received a low battery error on the slide control which then required a reset if the engine was off while operating slides.

I often wondered if leaving shore power connected would keep the chassis battery at 13+ volts while retracting the slides therefore accomplishing the same thing but have never tried.

When we pull-in with the engine still running, I simply push the auto levelers. While it does it's thing, I get out and connect utilities, then get back in and check to see if the leveling is complete, then run slides out. I've never timed it but I suspect just a few minutes later, engine off, open cold beer. Just too simple and very brief this way to worry about idling the engine too much.

And plus, no more hitting my head on that slide while hooking utilities up!

I don't want to totally hi-jack the thread but, back to the OP question, you've received some excellent advice. Test drive several different set-ups. Unfortunately, even the same models don't always compare. Until I installed Koni FSDs, I could feel (and hear) those expansion joints-not nearly as bad as our gassers we've had but still there. Now, the Koni's have given us the ride we expected out of our tag axle DP-quiet and smooth.

Solo, A quick thanks for the info (don't want to divert the thread either). I did not know the slides used the chassis batteries - good info. I know the levelers will give me low batt without the engine running. I will read up some more on it.

Not all DP's ride the same. First off, stay away from the Roadmaster R4R chassis. They have a very harsh ride, even if the after market ride enhancement kit is installed. I speak from experience.
Generally speaking Freightliner and Spartan are very similar in ride and overall will give you a nice ride.
I've never pulled a 5th wheel, so can't compare the rides.
Also keep in mind, the wheel base will have an effect on ride.
Tire pressure will also effect the ride.
My suggestion is test drive different chassis. Don't just take them around the block, but get them out on the freeway up to speed and around some truck traffic to see how the react. Also if possible drive them up some grades.
Also drive them over some rougher roads so you get an idea of ride.
Test drive, test drive, and test drive.

Lwiddis wrote:
Mile High, what a complete and informative report!

X2

Safe travels,
MM.

Is the ride of a DP that much softer than a PU pulling a 5er...probably not that much, BUT many of the seats are. Six way adjustable plus leg rest and lumbar support makes a big difference...have her test drive the seat while you test drive the rig and yes the view is terrific. A big DP is the nicest and most expensive way to see the USA.

Mile High wrote:
msmith, that would be a good habit I need to try out. Thinking back, I think the reason I was opening the slides first was because I leveled and ran the slides with the engine running, but I should be fine opening the slides without the engine. Thanks!

Mile High, check your owner's manual, Section 10-3 Slide operation. Direct quote from the manual on your Meridian "KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING WHILE EXTENDING OR RETRACTING SLIDEOUT ROOMS"

Same for my Ellipse according to the manual. I follow Winnebago's/Itasca's procedure and have the engine running since our company uses the chassis battery to operate the slides.

Some owners with the Power Gear slide system like our coach and yours, have received a low battery error on the slide control which then required a reset if the engine was off while operating slides.

I often wondered if leaving shore power connected would keep the chassis battery at 13+ volts while retracting the slides therefore accomplishing the same thing but have never tried.

When we pull-in with the engine still running, I simply push the auto levelers. While it does it's thing, I get out and connect utilities, then get back in and check to see if the leveling is complete, then run slides out. I've never timed it but I suspect just a few minutes later, engine off, open cold beer. Just too simple and very brief this way to worry about idling the engine too much.

And plus, no more hitting my head on that slide while hooking utilities up!

I don't want to totally hi-jack the thread but, back to the OP question, you've received some excellent advice. Test drive several different set-ups. Unfortunately, even the same models don't always compare. Until I installed Koni FSDs, I could feel (and hear) those expansion joints-not nearly as bad as our gassers we've had but still there. Now, the Koni's have given us the ride we expected out of our tag axle DP-quiet and smooth.

Mile High wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:
Mile High, my basement access is under the slides too (like many Class A's) and what I do to avoid having to dip under the slides as much as possible is the last thing I do when setting up is open the slides, and the first thing I do when getting ready to leave is close them. Once I'm level and have the power and water and sewer hooked up, I drag out all the chairs and whatever else is under there that I'll need and then open the slides. When leaving close them up before putting everything away. Makes life so much easier.

msmith, that would be a good habit I need to try out. Thinking back, I think the reason I was opening the slides first was because I leveled and ran the slides with the engine running, but I should be fine opening the slides without the engine. Thanks!

Sometimes we don't always think of simple things like that. It was quite a while before I thought of doing that. If I'm boondocking without power, I just fire up the generator to open the slides when I'm ready so as not to drain too much power from the batteries.

Actually now that I think about it, I thought of doing that when I stood up after hooking the sewer line up and almost split my head open on the edge of the slide. After I came to my senses, I thought why do I need to have that dang slide open right now anyway?

I never drove a DP. I had multiple gas. GM v8 and Ford v10s. All had a weight well below the max gross weight. The current mh has 2 bathrooms, 5 tanks with 2 black and 2 grey, engineered marble counters all around it is exactly at max gross weight. this allows the suspension to do its job and rides just great.

I beleive that the closer to max, the better the ride

Yves

Lwiddis wrote:
Mile High, what a complete and informative report!

Hey thanks!

msmith1199 wrote:
Mile High, my basement access is under the slides too (like many Class A's) and what I do to avoid having to dip under the slides as much as possible is the last thing I do when setting up is open the slides, and the first thing I do when getting ready to leave is close them. Once I'm level and have the power and water and sewer hooked up, I drag out all the chairs and whatever else is under there that I'll need and then open the slides. When leaving close them up before putting everything away. Makes life so much easier.

msmith, that would be a good habit I need to try out. Thinking back, I think the reason I was opening the slides first was because I leveled and ran the slides with the engine running, but I should be fine opening the slides without the engine. Thanks!

Never towed a 5th wheel but did tow TT's for years.

Mile High has pretty much nailed it. If I had to give up my tag axle class A for any towable RV, I would quit RVing.